Graduation is a special milestone for every student, a time to celebrate academic success with peers and loved ones while marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Yet, every year, hundreds of students across Trinidad and Tobago miss this occasion due to financial hardship.
Ensuring no one is excluded, non-governmental organisation Royalty For A Night is providing an opportunity for students to fully enjoy and participate in their special evening.
Communications Strategist Kimberly Farrah Singh explained that the initiative gives underprivileged students the same unique and memorable graduation experience as their peers.
“And just like a store, you have someone there coming to assist you, helping you pull your zipper up, like we try to make it an authentic experience that you would have in a store. So we make sure that the girls come in, the guys as well. They are able to choose multiple dresses and go try them on and see how it fits. Do you like this one? Do you like this colour? Do you want to go back and try something else on? And just going through that process with them, I think it is so important to allow them the freedom to have that experience.”
Yes She Can Founder Roberta Rose-Collins emphasised that while significant support is often directed towards young girls, there remains a gap in assistance for young men. Thus, she is calling for greater community support, especially for young men to have formal graduation wear.
“When this started, it started off as ‘Princess for a Night’ and because of the amount of young men that would’ve reached out, it was moved from that, just serving young women, to serving young men as well. We don’t get the support for the young men. I will say that loud because every year it’s a challenge. This year we partnered with Bradford, and they are giving us the opportunity to have persons.”
As the organisation continues to expand its reach and support students nationwide, it is calling on citizens to join the movement by contributing to the cause. Together, they believe every student can experience the joy and magic of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.